Lingar, 37, died at 12:06 a.m., five minutes after being given three lethal drugs at the Potosi Correctional Center.

A priest administered last rites as Lingar mouthed silent words in his direction. Seconds after the first drug was injected, Lingar smiled and coughed three times, then lay still.

Lingar declined to make a final statement but did issue one that was prepared on behalf of his family.

It sought forgiveness from the family of his victim, Thomas Allen, and cited a need for the governor and president to witness the death row process. Lingar was the first inmate to be executed this year in Missouri.

Lingar’s fate was sealed late yesterday when Gov. Bob Holden denied his clemency request. It was the first life-or-death decision for Holden, who took office in January.